My Dad's Memory!!

It has been way too long since I have done anything on my blog!! I love ready others, but never take the time for my own. I'm not sure why that is......I should do more, especially for my kids, they may be the only ones who care anyway. ha ha

When my father passed away last year, people donated money in his memory!! My mom gave some as well. They made a brick in him memory because there was much given. As he did in his lifetime!!

I miss my dad.....It will be a year on the 29th, I guess it's probably normal.

I wanted you all to see this cute brick!! I'll have to add more picks with all the kids around it. They are quite hilarious!

So much!!

We had our wedding....and it was the most beautiful day ever!! Here is one of my favorite pictures from the day. Magazine worthy! Courtney is so gorgeous, model beauty.....inside and out. Jake adores her almost as much as me.....that makes them so wonderful together.

I hope to have the patience to sit and blog more often again. I take pictures of everything, but don't have the time or patience to sit and download, write and organize all my thoughts. I need to share memories we've had since March, from memories of my favorite man in (and out) the world, Kinzee's graduation, memorial day 4-wheeling, 4th of July 4-wheeling......my "twins" birthday and 12 yr old party.....so many good things. Here is the top highlight......WEDDING.

I'll add a few more special pics.

Can't have a messing dress for the reception, cutest "bib" ever....right?

That is all for now!! I hope if there are any "followers" of my blog, you enjoy!! :0)

Service Weekend

Last Weekend we headed to Tooele to do some visiting with my parents and help in the yard!

The first picture show Tom in the background working hard at the hedge....

While in the foreground, our daughters are "working" hard.

They are actually playing together, so it is a bit difficult to get angry at them for not helping so much!

While I am not liking the reason we need to go help my parents:

It is a wonderful thing that we are AbLe to go assist them as needed.

Thank you to my wonderful husband and daughters for their willingness to assist me in helping Nana and Grandpa!

LIfe Focus

We have some wonderful good news I have neglected to talk about. I get overwhelmed easily with all lifes ups and downs. Sometimes I get too focused on the downs to remember the ups.

One great up is that my little Courtney is a grown woman (young woman) and she is now engaged to be MaRRiEd!! I'm not sure I'm ready, but I guess are we ever ready to let our little girls go?

We have found a wonderful, beautiful extremely flattering wedding dress.

Bekah our Beautiful Ballerina

My youngest daughter has advanced into toeshoes! This is and exciting occurance. The girls in the foreground are younger than the 4 with the new shoes, but can you see the anticipation on their faces? They can't wait for their turn!

Bekah's teacher is the sweetest and took extra time with them fitting, teaching us mom's how to sew on the elastic and ribbons. Then tying them just right! Thanks Heather!

We are proud of Bekah's hard work. Especially since this has not been her most cherished class, but she continues to work hard and progress!

Go Ballerina Bekah!!

My Birthday Present Girl!

These two pictures are my favorite from Aryn's "early" years. She was only 3 weeks old in the infant picture, she was so alert and "on the ready" from day one!

This is the gift I got to take home for my 27th birthday!

Aryn was born February 6,1993 at 8:41 AM. I was in labor a whooping 2 hours. That was pretty scary for Tom and I. Micah can remember it all too. She weighed 8 lbs and 3 ozs and "layed" 20" tall.
This is the first year she ran cross country. she did great the first year....struggled, but she is always willing to try things I suggest. You don't know what you'll like unless you try!

This blog was started last Friday night, the day before Aryn's actual birthday. I was having major problems with error's everytime I tried to finish this post! It has taken 6 days and I can't get all the pictures to load in the order I want......arrgh!

I want Aryn to know how much we love and appreciate her in our family. she has a fantastic sense of humor and a great sense of empathy for others. She is a great example of striving everyday to do better and choose the right.

Happy Birthday Aryn! We love you tons, forever!!

Honoring my favorite lady!

We have been focusing on my father since he is the one that is currently ill. But this woman, my mother, is the most amazing woman I have ever met! It was her birthday yesterday!

As most mothers she takes care of us, first and her needs second!

I have learned very much from her sacrifices and as she stands firm by my father, her husband of 49 years as of January 14th, she loves and cares for him daily.

She is the greatest example of patience, something I need to learn but do come by naturally as I watch my fathers impatience with the "hurry up and wait" of doctors offices.

This hat was Aryn Christmas gift, we all thing it is hilarious and keeping with Nana's humor she had to try it on!

Love you momma, happy birthday and thanks for being you!!

Grandpa and Grandma

This is my mom and dad's grandchildren, yes there is only 2 boys and 8 girls. A lot of estrogen in our homes.

We had the best time together, infact this was the first time in probably 11 years that we have ALL been together for Christmas. We are so lucky to have each other and share these memories. At this time when life seems so fragile, I am grateful for these people who love and accept me.

A tradition from many years ago, infact since I was a child, we would make and have popcorn balls for Christmas. We did that on Christmas eve. It was a good time even thought we didn't eat much, we gave them to my parents nieghbors as a thank you for helping shovel the sidewalk.

Cousin love! We need it!

Thanks to the Jones' girls for the hard work of decorating, scrapbooking and making each of us a memorable CD of music that can bond us!

Double Birthday's!!

In July we have double birthdays 7/7 we love that Daddy and daughter can enjoy together!

It's been a month but here we are finally posting our day.
Bekah got to choose the activity....she decided for us all to go to Boondocks, in Draper. Tom chose to eat dinner at the Mayan Restaurant in Jordon's Common.

Presents!
Birthday Couple waiting for dinner!! We love you both!!

At Boondocks....we had a great time playing games together. Our laser tag team won the game!!! Yeah.

This one is a random pic that I can't remove from the post. Wow, I thought I knew how to do everything on the blog. Ha ha that's what I get for thinking!!